Wheeled stepladder



Feb. 19, 1935. c w w n- 1,992,108

WHEELED STEPLADDER Filed April 24, 1934 6 71 111! ('5 H 71 He 1N\ ENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The invention relates to a stepladder and more especially to a wheeled stepladder.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a ladder of this character, wherein the same is equipped with a wheel so that it can be conveniently transported to a determined locality for use and its foldable prop carries a tool chest or box, the same being convenient to a user of the ladder, the said ladder being usable for pruning trees and in grafting and budding, or for gathering fruit, or other purposes.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a ladder of this character, wherein the same has arranged therewith a rest for work when the ladder is set up for use and will constitute a support or leg when the ladder is collapsed and serviceable for trucking purposes, the wheel arranged with the ladder rendering it mobile, and thus avoiding the necessity of the carrying of the ladder by the user from place to place.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a ladder of this character which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and eflicient in its purposes, conveniently and easily set up for use or collapsed, strong, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ladder constructed in accordance with the invention and set up for use.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the ladder when collapsed or in transporting position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, A designates generally the step frame of the ladder which includes the side rails 10, between which are arranged the steps 11, these being made fast or united with the rails in any desirable manner to assure rigidity and strength. The frame at one end and free from the rails 10 has the curved handle bars 12 which are uppermost when the ladder is in set-up position.

Mounted on the side rails 10 inwardly with respect to the handle bars 12 is a work support rack or shelf 13, it preferably being made from sheet metal bent downwardly at opposite sides to provide the flanges 14, these having formed therewith the loops 15 for embracing the rails 10 and such loops being made fast to the rails by fasteners 16, so that in the mounting of this part the same extends outwardly to one side of the frame A for use and has an additional purpose of a supporting leg, as will be hereinafter referred to.

swingingly connected to the flanges 14 of the 'work support rack or shelf 13 are the props 17 for the frame A, these being connected for swinging movement by the pivot 18 movable toward and away from the side rails 10 of said frame A. Pivoted to the rails 10 of the frame A and to the props 17 are the break-jointed braces 18 of conventional kind and such bracesfunction to latch the props 17 in supporting position when the ladder is set up for use and. also allows the props to swing toward and against the rails 10 of the frame when the ladder is collapsed. Mounted near the free ends of the props 17 are bearings 19 for an axle 20 carrying a single wheel 21, the latter being held located centrally with respect to the axle 20 so as to be midway between the props 17, as will be obvious.

Fitted with the props 1'7 is a cross plank 22 having fast thereon a tool chest or box 23 provided with a hinged lid 24 and a suitable hasp or latch 25 for the securing of the lid 24 in closed position. This chest or box 23 is conveniently and readily accessible when the ladder is in set-up position and on the collapsing of the ladder to have it transposed alike to a truck, the rack or shelf 13 cooperates with the wheel 21 as a supporting leg and in this collapsed or folded condition of the ladder the tool box will lie between a pair of steps 11 next thereto and will be readily accessible from above the plane of the frame A. In the truck transposition of the ladder it can be conveniently rolled or transported from one place to another without necessitating the bodily carrying of the ladder.

The ladder is capable of numerous uses, as for example, the gathering of fruit, pruning, budding, ,45

break-jointed braces pivoted to the props and said rails.

CHARLES W. WHITE. 

